Bendire.3 112 [March 21, 



fornily spatted with a pale reddish brown. Size .58 X .49 of an inch. 

 It was perfectly fresh. 



11. Parus occidentalis (Baird). Western Chickadee. 

 Common during the winter months, frequenting the same places as 



the preceding species, and retiring to the neighboring mountains to 

 breed. 



12. Psaltriparus minimus var. plumbeus- (Baird). Lead- 

 colored Bush-titmouse. 



A summer visitor, not abundant. I shot several specimens of this 

 species in Nov., 1874, while they were feeding amongst the alders and 

 willows on the creek, in company with Parus occidentalis and Reyulus 

 calendula. Measurements of one: length 4.25, wing 2.10, tail 2.25. 

 In June, 1876, I saw several near the summit of the Canyon City 

 mountain, evidently breeding. 



13. Sitta aculeata (Cassin). Slender-billed Nuthatch. 

 This is a moderately abundant species in the pine forests of the 



Blue Mountains, and resident throughout the year. A set of eggs of 

 this variety average .70 X .55 of an inch, and are clear white, with 

 reddish brown spots generally distributed over the entire surface of 

 the egg. The set was obtained June 6, 1876. 



14. Sitta pygmsea ( Vig.). Pigmy Nuthatch. 



A moderately abundant summer resident in the Blue Mountains ; a 

 few remain throughout the year. Nests like the preceding species 

 in holes in decayed pine trees; the cavity is usually partly filled with 

 small sticks, and on these the nest of fine strips of bark, principally 

 juniper, and lined with feathers, is placed. 



15. Salpinctes obsoletus (Cabanis). The Eock Wren. 



A common summer resident, found wherever there is a ledge of 

 rocks. It is one of the earliest birds in the spring, and one of the 

 latest in fall. Its nests are generally placed under loose rocks, and 

 therefore hard to find. The usual number of eggs laid is seven. 

 Their ground color is pure white, and they are marked with small red- 

 dish brown spots, sparingly distributed over the entire egg. Their 

 shape varies a great deal. Measurements of three eggs, each from a 

 different nest, are as follows: .76 X .58, .72 X -55, and .67 X .56 of 

 an inch. The nest itself is a slight affair, composed of sticks and bark, 

 lined with a few fine roots, feathers and hair. They probably raise 

 two broods a year. They are cheerful and active, and the male 

 during the breeding season is brimful of song. Their nests are 

 .very artfully concealed. A pair had a nest within eighty yards of 



